- published: 25 Sep 2014
- views: 337
Dominic Matteo (born 28 April 1974) is a Scottish former professional association footballer who played as a defender and centre-midfielder from 1992 to 2009.
He played for Liverpool, Sunderland, Leeds United, Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City. His greatest number of appearances was with Liverpool. His most notable individual moment was his goal in the Champions League against A.C. Milan. He was capped 6 times by Scotland after originally playing for England as a youngster. The latter part of his career was increasingly impacted by injury which led to his retirement in 2009 at the age of 35.
Born in Dumfries where his father, who "wanted his boy to play like Cesare Maldini", ran Matthew's Cafe in Friars Vennel, Matteo started his career at Liverpool F.C., for whom he played between 1992 and 2000 (with a small Sunderland A.F.C. loan in between). He scored two goals for Liverpool, one against Southampton in the league and another against Huddersfield in the FA Cup.
In August 2000 he joined Leeds United, and made his team debut against A.C. Milan the following month, in a UEFA Champions League contest. He was one of Leeds' best players through their 2000–01 Champions League campaign, in which they achieved a semi-final place. He is fondly remembered by Leeds fans especially for the goal he scored at the San Siro against AC Milan, in the first group stage which ensured they would progress through to the next round. He ended that Champions League campaign with two goals, having also scored earlier against Besiktas.